Self-feeding hydraulic press



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SELF FEEDING HYDRAULIC PRESS v Filed Aug. 4, 19.50 a :Sfieets-Sheet 1 Jwwntoo WALTER F'IERHIS.

Oct. 8, 1935.

w. FERRIS SELF FEEDING HYDRAULIC PRESS Filed Aug. 4, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwuanloz \MALTER F'EHHIS.

Oct. 8, 1935. w. FERRIS SELF FEEDING HYDRAULIC PRESS Filed Aug. 4, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 I gwoewtov WALTER F'EHRIS.

Oct. 8, 1935. w E s 2,016,710

' SELF FEEDING HYDRAULIC PRESS Filed Aug. 4, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.5.

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Oct. 8, w FERR1$ 2,016,710

SELF FEEDING HYDRAULIC PRESS Filed Aug. 4, 1930 8 Sheets-Sheet (a Oct. 8, 1935. w. FERRIS SELF FEEDING HYDRAULIC PRESS F'i-led Aug. 4, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 a .u u w was.

Patented Oct. 8, 1935 UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE 2,016,! 10 SELF-FEEDING HYDRAULIC PRESS Walter Ferris, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to The Oilgear Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application August 4, 1930, Serial No. 473,042

44 Claims.

This invention relates to a press of the type in which a movable die is reciprocated toward and from a stationary die to form blanks or other articles from sheet material which must be fed into the press and held in a. stationary position therein while being operated upon by the dies.

Mechanically operated presses of this character are sometimes provided with a feed mechanism, which is driven from the crankshaft or other movable part of the press, but hydraulically operated presses are ordinarily fed manually when operating upon sheet material which has been cut into strips or lengths.

The invention has as an object to provide a hydraulic press with a feed mechanism which will feed strips or sheets of material through the press automatically.

control and adjustment and whose working stroke may be adjusted to the exact length necessary to do the work, thus obtaining the maximum possible operation with a given pump capacity.

Another object is to provide a hydraulic feeding mechanism which will feed strips through a press in either direction.

Another object Mo provide a hydraulically operated feeding mechanism which is readily adjustable to vary the distance which a strip is fed forwardly during each cycle of operation of the feeding mechanism.

Another object is to provide a self-feeding press operated entirely by hydraulic motors which are interlocked in a hydraulic circuit whereby one part of the press mechanism must substantially complete its movement or operation before another. part of the mechanism starts to move, whereby the several mechanisms cannot get outof phase with each other regardless of the speed at which the press is operated.

According to the invention in one of its aspects, the strip is engaged by a gripper or other means which is reciprocated alternately with the reciprocation of the ram to feed the strip through the press intermittently.

According to the invention in another aspect,

the feeding mechanism is operated by a hy- 6 draulic motor and liquid is delivered to the feed motor and the ram cylinder in sequence so that the ram and the feed cannot operate at the same time but one must stop as the other starts.

According to the invention in another aspect, 10

the strip oi. material is fed into the press by a gripper which is actuated by one hydraulic motor and reciprocated by another hydraulic motor, and liquid is delivered to the and the ram cylinder in sequence feed and the ram to operate in sequence.

According to the invention in another aspect, movement is transmitted to the gripper and the work through a crank which swings through apfeed motors proximately 18. 0 to advance the work a prede- 20 termined step or distance, and the work reaches the end of its movement at the same time that the crank reaches the end of its semi-circular path whereby the work is advanced exactly the same distance each time and is gradually accelerated from a stationary position to. full speed and gradually decelerated from full speed to a stationary position.

The-invention further provides two grippers for engaging the work, one of which passes the work into the press and the other of which removes the work from the press.

The invention further provides control mechanism which may be adjusted to cause the press to complete one or more successive cycles of operation and which enables the operator to assume control or stop the press at any point in the'cyele of operation.

The invention is. embodied in the press illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which the views are as follows:

Fig. l is a front elevation of the press;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the left side of the press.

press.-

Fig; i is a sectional plan view, taken on-a line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on the line 50 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken 6- 6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. '7 is a top plan view of a gripper. Fig. 8 is an elevation thereoh on the line to cause the 15 the crank is operated 25 Fig. 3 is an elevation of the right side of the Fig. 10 is a'perspective view of a strip from which the blank shown in Fig. 9 was formed and illustrating one method of forming blanks.

Fig. 11 is a schematic drawing of the hydraulic circuit and a detail view of mechanism for operating the plungers of the pilot and control valves, the parts shown being in the positions occupied when the press is idle.

Fig. 12 is a detail view showing the valve operating mechanism and the plungers of the pilot and control valves in the positions occupied to start the press. Fig. '13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 but showing the valve operating mechanism and the valve plungers in the positions occupied Just after the press has been started.

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 12 but showing the valve operating mechanism and the valve plungers in the positions press comes to rest.

Fig. 15 is a vertical section through the reversing valve.

Theinvention is shown embodied in a vertical press having a. stationary lower die and a movable upper die but, with slight changes, the press may be arranged horizontally or inverted, and the terms denoting direction used herein are descriptive of the press shown and are not employed to limit the scope of the invention.

The press comprises, in general, a frame I, a power cylinder 2 carried by the frame at the upper end,thereof, a ram 3 having its piston I arranged in the cylinder 2, an upper die block 5 carried by the ram 3 in alinement with a lower die block 6 which is supported upon a bolster 1 arranged upon the front of the frame I, feeding mechanism for passing the work through the press, holding means for engaging the work in advance of the movable die to hold it in a stationary position until engagedby the movable die, a control valve 8 for starting and stopping the press, a reversing valve 9 forchanging the direction of the rain movement, a pilot valve ID for controlling the operation of the reversing valve, and valve operatingmechanism for operating the pilot valve.

' Liquid for operating the press is supplied from a pump ll which,.-preferably, is adjustable to vary the volume of liquid delivered to thereby vary the speed of the press but, when once ad- ;justed, the volume delivered remains constant irrespective of the pressure developed. A pump which may be employed is disclosed in Patent 1,558,002, issued October 20, 1925 to Walter Ferris.

Liquid for operating the valves is supplied by a gear pump l2 which, preferably, is incorporated in the pump Ii to supercharge the same, and the pumps II and i2- are protected by relief valves l3 and M, respectively, as shown in Patent 1,558,002. I j For the p se of illustration, the upper die block 5 is shown provided with ablanking diew I5, for stamping blanks from strips of material, and with a punch It for forming pilot holes to receive a pilot pin I! which reciprocates through the upper die block 5 and holds the strip in position while the die 15 and the punch l5 are passing therethrough. The die I! and the punch l5 cooperate with female dies (not shown) carried by the lower die block 5, and the work is stripped from the die I! and the punch l5 by a stripper 2,010,710 Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a blank which.

occupied Just before the which functions it secui ed thereto.

Strips of material are fed through the press between the stripper i8 and the lower die block 6 by the feeding mechanism which is adapted to feed the work in either direction but is shown adjusted to feed from right to left.

When pilot holes are'to be formed in the work, the usual practice requires that the pilot hole punch be placed close to the die and punch a pilot hole in the work at the same time that the die stamps the first blank therefrom. This practice requires dies which are expensive to make and difllcult to adjust.

In the present invention, the feeding mechanism may be so accurately adjusted that the error in spacing is negligible, and the punch may be spaced from the die to punch the first .pilot hole in the work at the same time that the die stamps the second blank therefrom, the pilot pin I1 preventing the accumulative effect of .errors which are negligible in themselves.

The dies required for blanking strips according to this method are more substantial, less expensive and more readily adjusted.

The drawings show the punch I6 spaced from the die l5 and Fig. 10 illustrates a strip l9 being fed through the press from right to left to have stamped therefrom'the blanks 20 shown in Fig. 9.

The end 2| of thestrip I9 is placed against a gauging and pressure pin 22 which reciprocates through the upper die block 5 and functions as a stop for spacing the strip from the die l5 so that, when the strip is fed forwardly one step by the feeding mechanism, the end of the strip will be in the correct position relatively to the die l5 to have a blank 20 stamped therefrom. After the strip I9 has been fed between the dies, the pressure pin 22 presses it downwardly againstthe lower die block 5 to hold it in position while being operated upon by the die l5. This function is important when pilot holes are not provided.

The first time that the ram; descends, the die I5 stamps a blank 20 from the'strip l9 and leaves an opening 23 therein. The next time that--the ram 3 descends, the die l'5'stamps another blank 20 from the strip l9 and leaves an opening 24-" therein, and the punch It forms a pilot hole 25. The next time that the ram 3.descends, the pilot pin l1 enters the pilot hole 25 and holds the strip in position, thedie l5 stamps another blank 25 from the strip l9 and leaves an opening 25 therein, and the punch i 6 forms another pilot hole 21.

Thereafter, the pilot pin l1 enters a pilot hole and positions the strip, the die l5 forms a blank, and the punch It forms a pilot hole during each cycle of operation, Fig. 10 showing thepilot pin l1 entered in the pilot hole 21 to hold the strip l9 in position while the die l5 forms a blank 20 and the punch It forms a pilot hole 28.

The cycles follow each other in succession until the strip I 9 is exhausted and then it may be passed through the press a second time to stamp blanks 29 therefrom, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 10. The blanks 29 may be formed by turning the strip end for end and feeding it through the press from right to left, or by changing the position'of the dies and feeding it through the press from left to-right.

The methold of forming blanks just described is substantially according to the usual practiceand the present invention differs therefrom in reciprocating the pilot pin i1 independently of the dies and in providing the pressure pin 22 to position the end of the strip which overlies the lower die block 6 and 1s relatively to the die and also to hold the strip in position until it is engaged by the dies, and to hold the strip in position when it is not possible or advisable to punch pilot holes therein.

The feeding mechanism is shown provided with two grippers 39 which are carried by a tubular feed bar 3| and reciprocated thereby to feed the work into the press, one gripper advancing it step by step until the second gripper can seize it, then it is advanced by both grippers until it passes beyond the first gripper, and then it is advanced by the second gripper until it passes out of the press.

The feed bar 3| is supported and reciprocated by two arms 32 which are adjustable as to length to enable the grippers to be adjusted in accordslide 35.

ance with the height of the lower die block 6. The lower, end of each arm 32 is secured to an end of the feed bar 3| and its upper end is journaled upon an end of a crosshead 33 and clamped in adjusted positions thereon by suitable bolts which may be loosened and the feed bar 3| moved forwardly or rearwardly .to thereby adjust both grippers simultaneously, toward or from the path of the work to enable the press to operate upon work of different widths. The crosshead 33 is shown as being tubular in order to eliminate all unnecessary weight and is slidably supported in two bearings 34 carried by the sides of the frame I.

The crosshead 33 is held against rotation by a slide 35 which has its lower end secured thereon and its upper end slidably supported upon a slide bar 36 carried by the bearings 34. v

The slide 35 is connected to a crank 31 by a connecting rod 38 which has one of its ends journaled upon the pin 39 of the crank 31 and its other end journaled upon a pin 49 carried by the The crank 31 reciprocates the crosshead 33 and thereby reciprocating the feed bar 3| and the grippers 39. The crank 31 is provided with a radial slot 4| in which the head of the crankpin 39 is secured in adjusted position, and the connecting rod 38 is adjustable as to length to enable the crankpin 39 to be moved along the slot 4| to change its throw and therebyvary the distance which a piece of work will be fed through the press during each reciprocation of the crosshead 33.

The crank 31 is fixed upon one end of a shaft 42 which is journaled at one of its ends in a bearing 43 and held against axial movement therein by the crank 31 and a collar 44 which abut opposite ends of the bearing 43.

The other end of the shaft 42 is connected by a clutch 45 to a shaft 46 which is journaled in a double bearing 41 carried by the frame I. The

clutch 45 may be disengaged or engaged by operating a shifter 46 which is slidably supported in a bearing 49 carried by the frame I.

The shaft 46 has a pinion 59 secured thereon and arranged between the two parts of the bearing 41 to hold it and the shaft 46 against axial movement. I

The pinion 59 meshes with a rack which is rigidly connected at one end to the piston 52 of a hydraulic motor 53 and at its other end to the piston 54 of a hydraulic motor 55.

When the'motor 55 is supplied with a driving liquid to force the piston 54 outwardly, the rack 5| will be moved upwardly and rotate the pinion 59, thereby swinging the crank 31 upwardly and. moving the crosshead 33 to the left to feed a .axial movement thereon by the upper end of the.lever 64 and enabling 'the spring piece of work through the press from right to left'.

Thereafter, when the motor 53 is operated by the driving liquid, the rack 5| will be moved downwardly and the pinion 59 will be rotated to 5 return the crosshead to its initial position.

If the clutch 45 is disengaged, the crank 31 rotated through 180 degrees and the clutch reengaged, the crankpin 39 will operate in the lower half of the crank circle and the grippers 39 will operate to feed the work through the press from left to right.

Due to the fact that the crankpin 39 is rotated through substantially a half circle to move the crosshead 33 in either direction, the feed bar 3| and the grippers 39 are gradually accelerated from a stationary position and then decelerated. gradually to a stop, thus moving the work smoothly through the press.

Each of the grippers 39 has a fixed jaw 56,

which is clamped upon the feed bar 3| by means of a bolt 51, and a movable jaw 58 which is journaled upon the feed bar 3| and held against jaw 56 and a stop collar 59. Y

The nose 69 of the jaw 58 overlies the nose 6| of the jaw 56 and is provided with an adjusting screw 62 for adjusting the'grippers to accommodate different thicknesses of material.

Each gripper is opened by a tension spring 63, which is connected between the rear ends of the jaws 56 and 58, and is closed by an actuating lever 64 which is pivoted intermediate its ends upon a pin 65 carried by the rear end of the fixed jaw 56. v

The lever 64 has its upper end in engagement with the rear end of the jaw 56 and its lower end is urged by a spring 66 against a cam 61 which 'is provided with a handle 68 for opening and closing the grippers manually.

The cam 61 is journaled upon a pin 69 carried by the lower end of a pair of angular links 19 which are pivoted at their upper ends upon the pin 65 and connected intermediate their ends to the lower end of a connecting rod 1|by a 5 pin 12.

The upper ends of the two connecting rods 1| are pivoted upon a cross bar 13 which extends across the front of the press and has a link 14 secured upon each of its ends and journaled upon the crosshead 33. The outer faces of the links 14 abut the inner faces of the arms 32 and fix the crossbar 13 for axial movement with the crosshead 33. The cross bar 13 is slidable through the lower end of a connecting rod 15 which is pivotally connected at its upper end to the piston rod 16 of a hydraulic motor 11 carried by the frame I. The connecting rod 15 extends through a stationary guide 18 which is fixed to the slide bar 36 to hold the connecting 0 rod 15 against lateralmovement when the crosshead 33 is reciprocated.

Operation of the motor' 11 causes the cross bar 13 to be raised and lowered and the grippers 39 to be opened and closed, the links 14 pivoting 35 upon the crosshead 33 as the cross bar 13 moves vertically.

As the links 19 and the operating lever 64 of each gripper are both pivoted upon the stationary pin 65, raising the cross bar 13 will cause each connecting rod 1| to swing the lower ends of the links 19 and the cam 61 upwardly and outwardly and the lever 64 to be swung upon the pin by the spring 66, thereby lowering the I position, the hook 63 to draw the rear end of the movable jaw 88 downwardly and open the gripper.

When the cross bar 13 is lowered, the connecting rods 1| will force the lower ends of the links 10 downwardly and forwardly and the earns 61 will swing the levers 64 upon the pins 65 to raise the upper ends thereof and thereby raise the rear ends of the jaws 58 and close the grippers. The press ordinarily stops with the cross bar 13 lowered; as shown inthe drawings, and with the grippers closed, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

In order to insert "a piece of work into a gripper at the beginning of an operation, the handle 68 is raised to rotate the cam 61 and enable the spring 66 to swing the lower end of the lever 84 toward the links 18 which are held stationary by the connecting rod 1|, thereby lowering the upper end of the lever 64 and enabling thespring 63 to open the gripper, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3. Operation of the motor 11 also causes the pilot pin I1 and the pressure pin 22 to be reciprocated alternately with the ram 3 by means of a con- .Iiecting'rod 19 which is connected at its upper end to the piston rod 16 and at its lower end to a lever 88 which is fixed upon a rockshaft 8| journaled in the ram 3.

' The rockshaft 8| has a lever 82 fixed thereon which extends into an opening 83 in the ram 3 and is provided at its inner end with a radial slot 84 to receive a pin 85 carried by the upper end of the pilot pin I1.

The rockshaft 8I also has a lever 86 ilxed thereon which extends into the opening 83 and is provided at its inner end with a vertical slot 81 through which the pressure pin 22 extends. When the inner end of thelever 86 swings upwardly, the pressure pin 22 is raised by a pin 88 which extends 'through its upper end and bears upon the top of the lever 86. When the inner end of the lever 86 swings downwardly, the pressure pin 22 descends until it meets a positive resistance and then the lever 86 compresses a spring 89 which is arranged below the under side of the lever 86 and held against downward movement relatively to the pressure pin 22 by an abutment 98, thereby causing the pressurepin '22 to exert a predetermined force upon the work orother object encountered. x

The press is ordinarily started by operating a foot lever 9| which'is pivoted upon a pin 92 carried by the frame I and is urged to its inoperative position by a spring 93.

If a single cycle of operation is to be performed, the operator depresses a pedal 94 which is arranged upon the outer end of the foot lever 9t but, if the press is to be operated continuously, the operator depresses a locking pedal .95 which is, pivoted upon the lever 9| and provided at its forward end with a hook 96 to eng l a stationary latch plate 91 a d hold the lever 9| in operative position agains the action of the spring 93. The locking pedal 95 has a stop 98 arranged upon its rear end which is normally urged against the top of the lever 9| by a spring 99.

When sumcient pressure is applied to the looking pedal 95, it swings upon,its' pivot. and, when the'lever 9| has been: swung to its operative engages the under side of the plate 91 and holds the lever 9| against the action of the spring 93.

Thereafter, when sufllcient pressure is applied to the pedal 94 to depress the lever 9|, the spring 99 swings the pedal 95 upon its pivot until the hook 96 is disengaged from the plate 91 and the stop 98 abuts the top of the lever 9|.

shown in Fig. 13, so that the plunger I86 vertically upon a guideway I82 carried by frame I.

.The slide IN is shown in its lower or inoperative position in' Figs. 3 and 11 and in its upper or 10 operative position in Figs. 12, 13 and 14, and the valve operating mechanism is shown adjusted to cause the press to stop at the end of each cycle of operation.

When the slide IN is in its lower or inoperative position, it rests upon a stop I83 carried by 'the. guide I82, the plunger I84 of the control valve 8 is supported in its lower or inoperative position by a flange I85 formed upon the upper end thereof, andthe plunger I88 of the pilot valve I8 is held in its upper or inoperative position by a bell crank lever I81 which is journaled upon a pin I88 carried by the frame I.

The vertical arm of the lever I81 has a notch I89 formed therein to engage the lower comer of the angular head II 8 of the plunger I86 and support the same, and the horizontallarm of the lever I81 is urged downwardly by a spring III against the upper face of a double faced cam II2 'carried by the vertical arm of a tripping lever H3 which is journaled upon a pin II4 carried by the slide IN.

The horizontal arm of the tripping lever I I3 is urged upwardly by a spring II5 against a stopII6 which is carried by the slide I 8| and holds the tripping lever I I3 against rotation in one direction to enable the cam II2 to swing the bell crank lever I81 upon the pin I88 against the action of the spring III and move the notch I89 out of engagement with the head 8 of the valve plunger I86 as the slide I8l moves unwardly.

The tripping lever H3 is swung upon the pin I I4 against the action of the spring Hi, to move the cam I I2 out of alinement with the horizontal arm of the bell crank lever I81, bya cam lever I I1 which is pivoted at its lower end upon the pin I I4, connected intermediate its ends to the vertical arm or the tripping lever. II3'by a bolt I I8, and provided at its upper end with a cam 0 face 9 to engage acam128 carried by the head no of the valve plunger nos.

and swing the cam lever II1 and the tripping lever 3 upon the pin II4 until the cam 'II2 passes out of engagement with the horizontal arm of the bellcrank lever I81, thereby enabling the spring III to swing the vertical arm of thelever I81 against the outer face the notch I89 may of the head II 8 and support when it has been raised to its upper position as shown in Fig. 14.

Whenthe plunger I86 is raised, the cam I28 moves out of engagement with the cam lever II1 engage the corner and the spring 5 drawsthe horizontal arm of the tripping lever II3 against thestop H6 and swings the cam II2 over and into alinement with the horizontal arm of the1ever'I81. When the 7 slidev I8I moves downwardly, the end of the horizontal arm of the lever I81 engages, theunder face of the cam H2 and swings the tripping lever II3 upon its pin II4 against the action of the spring lliguntil the cam 2 passes below the of the head II8, as 60 horizontal arm of the lever I 01 and then the spring II5 returns the tripping lever II3 toits initial position. v I

When the slide IOI moves upwardly, the plunger I04 of the'control valve 8 is raised to its operative position, as shown in Fig. 12, by the vertical arm I2I of an angular lever I22 which is pivoted upon a pin I23 carried bythe slide WI.

The vertical arm I2I of the lever I22 is initially held in alinement with the valve plunger I04 by a tension spring I24 which urges the horizontal arm I25 of the lever I22 against a stop I26 carried by the slide IN.

The spring I24 has one end attached to the slide IOI and its other end attached to the inner end of a trip I21 which is pivoted upon the outer end of the arm I25 and urged by the spring I24 against a stop I26 carried by the arm I 25. When the valve plunger I06 moves downwardly, a cam I29 carried therebyengages the outer end of the trip I21 and swings it upon its pivot against the action of the spring I24 which returns the trip I21 to its initial position as soon as the cam I29 has passed below it.

Then, when the valve plunger I06 moves upwardly, the cam I29 raises the outer end of the trip I21 and, as the inner end ofthe trip I21 is in engagement with the stop I28,-the lever I22 is swung upon the pin I23 to move the arm I2I from beneath the valve plunger in its gperative position by a detent I30 until it is forced downwardly by hydraulic pressure at the end of the cycle of operation.

However, the press is ordinarily operated continuously and the stop I28 is provided with a stop screw I3 I which may be extended to hold the trip I21 out of alinement with the cam I29,

'and the lever H3 is provided with a'bolt hole I32 through which the bolt II8 may be passed to hold the cam lever II1 out of alinement with cam I20 on the plunger I06, as shown in dotted lines in'Fig. 11.

With the cam lever II1 and the trip I21 secured in their inoperative positions, the valve .plunger I04 will position, the cam II2 will hold the lever I01 out of engagement with head IIO of the valve plunger I06 which may then ascend and descend freely, and the press will continue to operate as long as the pedal 94 is held or latched down.

When the slide IOI is in its lower position, the press is idle and the liquid discharged by the high pressure pump II passes through a high pressure supply pipe I33 through a port I34 formed therein, then out of the valve 8 through a port I35 and into a pressure return pipe I36 which has a resistance valve I31 connected therein, and then through a free' return pipe I38 into the reservoir of the pump II. The liquid delivered by the gear pump I2 is discharged into a low pressure supply pipe I39 and initially holds the plunger I04 of'the control valve 0 and the plunger I40 of the reversing valve 9 in their lower positions and charges an accumulator I4I which communicates with the supply pipe I39. The excess liquid delivered by the gear pump is exhausted through the relief valve I4 which is adjusted to maintain a predetermined pressure in the pipes I39 and the accumulator MI.

The valve plunger I04- is urged downwardly by a piston I42 fitted in a cylinder I43 which is arranged upon the upper end of the valve 8 and provided with a port I44 to which the supply pipe I39 is connected. The-cylinder I43 is thus I04 which is held be supported in its operative and into the control valve 6 valve 8, the pipe I56,

open to gear pump pressure which acts upon the upper end of the piston I42 when the valve plunger I04 is in its lower. position.

Arranged upon the ends of the reversing valve 9 are two cylinders, I45 and I46, in which the '5 stems I41 of the valve plunger I40 are slidably fitted to function as pistons therein. The upper cylinder I45 is connected by a pipe I48 to a-port I49 in the pilot valve I0 which, at this time, is in communication with a port I50 to which the 10 supply pipe I39 is connected by apipe I5I. The upper end of the valve stem I41 is thus open to gear pump pressure which holds the valve plunger I40 in its lower position, as shown in Fig. 11.

If it is desired that the press stop at the com- 15 pletion of each stroke, the cam lever II1 and the trip I21 are arranged as shown in full linesand the pedal 94 is depressed to raise the slide downwardly, thus enabling the detent- I30 to support the plunger I04 in its upper position.

The liquid in the cylinder I43 is expelled into the free return pipe I38 through a pipe I52 and 30 a resistance valve I53, and liquid above the plunger I04 is expelled into the free return pipe I38 through a pipe I54.

The port I34 in the control valve 8 is now in communication with a port I55 which is con- 35 nected by a pipe I56 to a port I51 in the reversing valve 9. The port I51 is in communication with a port I58 which is connected through a pipe I59, a pipe I60, and a pipe I6I to a port I62 in the upper feed motor 53. '40

The port I62 isin communication with a port I63 which is connected by a pipe I64 to the upper end of'the gripper motor 11, and a port I65 arranged intermediate the ends of the motor 11 is connected to the ldwer end of the power cyl- 45 inder 2 by a pipe I66 which has a check valve I61 and the resistance valve I68 connected in-parallel therein.

The port I65 is connected also to a port I69 in the lower part of the pilot valve I0 through the 50 pipe I66, a pipe I10, a resistance valve IN, a check valve I12 which is connected in parallel with the resistance valve Ill, and a pipe I13.

The pipe I13 is connected also to the pipe I52 by a pipe I14 having a resistance valve I15 con- 55 nected thereinwhich has a greater resistance to the passage of liquid than the resistance valve I31 in the return pipe I36.

The port I69 is normally arranged between a piston I16 carried by the plunger I06 and a par- 60 tition I11 which separates the upper and lower parts of the valve cylinder from each other.

Liquid delivered by the pump II may nowflow through the supply pipe I33, the control the reversing valve 9, the 05 pipes I59, I60 and I6I, the upper feed motor 53, the pipe' I64 and the motor 11 into the pipe I66. As the piston 4 is already at the top of its stroke, in which position it has been held by the check-valve I61 and the resistance valve I68, 70 the liquid passes through the pipe I10, the resistance valve HI and the pipe I13 into the lower part of the valve I0 and acts upon the piston I16, forcing the plunger I06 downwardly and uncovering a port I10 which. is connected to the pressure return-pipe I38 by a pipe I19. As the valve I15 has a greater resistance than the valve I31, the liquid passes from the lower part of the valve I8 into the reservoir of the pump II through the pipes I19, I 38 and I38.

The valve plunger I88 has two pistons I88 and I8I arranged above the partition I11, and the liquid below the piston I88 is exhausted into the free return pipe I38 through a port I82 and a pipe I83 as the valve plunger I88 moves downwardly.

The liquid in the valve I8 below the piston I18 is exhausted through a port I84, a pipe I85,

a check valve I86 which has a resistance valve I81 connected in parallel therewith and into a pipe I 88 which is connected to the upper end of the main cylinder 2.

As the piston 4 is supported by the check valve I61 and the resistance valve I 88, the liquid passes 0 through a pipe I 89, which has a check valve I98 connected therein, and a pipe I9I into the pilot valve 9througha port I92 which, at this time, is in communication with a port I93. From the valve 9, the liquid passes through the port I93 and 25 a pipe I94 into the control valve 8 through a port I95 which, at this time, is open to the port I35. From the control valve 8, the liquid passes through the port I35 and the return pipes I38 and I38 to the reservoir of the pump I I.

30 The pilot valve plunger I88 being lowered, the port I49 is in communication with a port I98 which is connected to the return pipe I 38 by apipe I91, and the port I58'is in communication .w1th a port I 98 which is connected through a 5 pipe I99 and a check valve 288 to the cylinden- I48 at the lower end of the reversing valve 9, the check valve 288 having a choke 28I connected in parallel therewith through which liquid is exhausted when the reversing valve plunger I48 0 moves downwardly.

The gear. pump I2 may pow deliver liquid through the pipes. I39 and lil, the pilot valve I8, the pipe I99 and the check valve 288 to the cylinder I48 and force the reversing v'alve plunger I48 upwardly into the position shown in Fig. 15, the liquid in the cylinder- I45 being exhausted into the return pipe I38 through the pipe I48, the valve" and the pipe I91 as the plunger I48 moves upwardly. 5 The reversing valve plunger I 48 being raised puts the port I51 into communication with the port I92 and the port I58 into communication with a port 282 to which the pipe I94 is also con-' nected. The liquid flowing in the pipe I58 is 55 thus directed through the valve 9 and the pipe I 9I into the pipe I89 and, as the check valve I98 prevents the liquid from entering the pipe I 81, it flows through this pipe and through two check valves 283 and 284 into the lower end of the to bore of the motor 55 to force the piston 54 upwardly.

. The check valve 283 communicates with aport 285 formed in the bore of the motor 55 adjacent I the reduced lower end 288 thereof in which a pro- 05 je ction 281 .on/the piston-54 is fitted when it is in its lowermost position, and the check valve 284 communicates with the reduced end .288 in order that the entire cross-sectional area of the piston 54 may be subjected to the hydraulic pres- 70 sure. I

Upward movement of the piston 54 causes the rack 5I .to rotatethe crank 31 through the pinion 58 and the shafts 42 and 46 and thereby causes the connecting rod 38 to move the crosshead 33 18 and the feed bar 3| toward the left. It the grip er 38 has been closed uponi a piece of work, it will be fed into or through the press a distance corresponding to the adjustment of the crankpin 39 in the slot 4I. 3

'When the piston 54 moves upwardly,the piston 5 52 expels theliquid in the motor 53 through the port I82 into the pipes I8I and I88 until it covers the port I 82 and then it expels the liquid through a port 288 and a choke 289 into the pipe I88.

The rack 5I is thus moved at a high speed 10 during the first part of its movement and then Y moves at a gradually reduced speed dueto'the action of the choke 289, which gradually absorbs the energy of the moving parts.

As the plunger 52 approaches the limit of its 1.3 movement, a projection '2I8 on its upper end enters the reduced end 2 of the bore of-the motor 53 in which the liquid is trapped by a check valve 2I2 connected between it and the pipe I88. The small .quantity of, trapped liquid is squeezed out around the projection, thus stopping the piston 52 without appreciable shock.

From the pipe I88, the liquid flows through the pipe I59, theports I58 and 282 in the valve 9,

v the pipe I94,'the ports I95 and I35 in the valve 8, and the pipes I38 and I 38 to the reservoir of the pump II. 5

As the piston 54 reaches the limit of its upward movement, it uncovers a port 2I3 and the high pressure liquid flows through this port and through a pipe 2 I4 into the lower end of the motor 11 and raises its piston 18, thereby opening the grippers 38 and lowering the pilot pin I1 and the-pressurepin 22 as previously'described.

The liquid in the upper end of the mot-or 11 is exhausted through the pipe I84, a double check valve 2I8, the pipes I88 and I59,'the valve 9, the pipe I94, the valve 8 and the pipes I38 and I38. As the piston 18 reaches the limit of its upward movement, it uncovers a port 2I1 and the high 40 pressure liquid passes through this 'port, a pipe 2I8 and the pipe I88 into the upper end of the main cylinder 2 and forces the piston 4 and the ram 3'downwardly, thus passing the die I5 and 4 the punch I6 through the piece of work I9 if it has been fed into the press a sufficient distance.

The liquid in the lower part of the cylinder 2 is exhausted through the resistance valve I88, the pipe I86, a pipe 2I9, the check valve 2I8,'the pipes I88 and I59, the valve 9, the pipe I94, the

valve 8 and the pipes I38 and I38.

When the ram 3 stalls atthelimit of its downward stroke, the pressure in the pipe I88 rises and the high pressure liquid breaks through the resistance valve I81, enters the lower end of the 65 pilot valve I8 through the pipe I85 and raises the I plunger I88.

On its downward movement, the cam I28 on the plunger I88 engaged the cam lever H1 and swung thecam II2 out of alinement with the horizontal arm of the lever I81 and the spring II I then swung the vertical arm of the lever I81 against the head II8 of the plunger I88, and the cam I29 passed below the trip I21, as shown in Fig. 13.

As the plunger I88 moves upwardly, the cam 8 'I29 engages the trip I21 and swings the arm I2I of the lever I22 from beneath the plunger I84 of the valve 8 and, as the plunger I88 reaches its upper position, the spring III swings the lever I81 to engage the notch I89 with the corner of the head I I8 and support the plunger I86.

When the plunger I86 rises, the liquid in the valve I8 above the piston I BI is exhausted through the nine I91 into the return pipe I88, andv the 15 liquid in the lower part of the valve I0 above the piston I16 is exhausted through the pipe I13, the check valve valve 9, the pipe I94, the valve 8 and the pipes I36 and I 38. 1

Liquid from the gear pump I2 now flows through the pipes I39 and I5I', the valve I0 and the pipe I48 to the cylinder I45, forcing the plunger I40 of the reversing valve 9 downwardly and exhausting the liquid in the cylinder I46 through the choke 20I, the pipe I99, the valve I0' and the pipes I83 and I38.

Lowering the plunger I40 causes the high pressure liquid-flowing in the pipe I56 to pass through the valve 9, the pipes I59 and I60 and the check valve 2I2 into the upper end of the motor 53 and to pass also through a check valve 220 into the port 208 and force the piston 52 and the rack 5| downwardly.

Downward movement of the rack 5| rotates the pinion 50, the shafts 42 and 46 and the crank 31, thereby moving the feed bar 3| and the grippers 30 to their initial positions.

During the first part of the downward movement of the rack 5I the liquid in the motor 55 is expelled freely by the piston 54 through a port 22I and a pipe '222 into the pipe I89, thus enabling the rack 5I to move at high speed. During the latter part of the rack movement, the liquid in the motor 55 is expelled into the pipe I89 through the port 205, a pipe 223 and a choke 224. The speed of the rack5I is first decelerated by the action of the choke 224, and then the movement of the rack isarrested by the liquid trapped in the lower end of the motor 55 by the check valve 204 and the projection 201 on the piston 54, as previously described with reference to motor 53.

From the pipe I89, the liquid is returned to the reservoir of the pump II through the pipe I9I, the valve 9, the pipe I94, the valve 8 and the pipes I36 and I38.

When the piston 52 has reached its lower position and uncovered the port I63 in the motor 53, the high pressure liquid flows through the pipe I64 into the upper end of the motor 11 and forces the piston 16 downwardly to close the grippers 30 and raise the pilot pin I1 and the pressure pin The liquid in the lower part of the motor 11 is exhausted through the pipe 2 I 4 and a check valve 225 into the pipe I09 from whence it is returned to the pump reservoir through the same channels as he exhaust liquid from the motor 55.

When the piston 16 has reached its lower position and uncovered the port I65, the high pressure liquid flows through the pipe I66 and the check valve I61 into the cylinder 2 and raises the piston 4 and the ram 3 to their upper positions.

The liquid in the upper part of the cylinder 2 is exhausted through the pipes I88 and I89, the.

check valve I90 and the pipe I9I which is open to the return pipe I38 as previously described.

When the ram stalls at the end of its up stroke, the pressure in the pipes I66 and I 10 rises and the liquid breaks through the resistance valve I1I, flows through the pipe I13, exerts a pressure upon the piston I16 and tends to force the plunger I06 downwardly but it is held in its upper position by the lever I01. Consequently, the pressure rises in the pipe I14 and the liquid breaks through the resistance valve I15 and enters the cylinder I43 through the pipe I52, overcoming the resist- I12, the pipes I10, I66, and 2I9, the check valve 2I6, the pipes I60 and I59,'the

ance of the detent I30 and forcing the piston I42 and the plunger I04 downwardly.

As soonas the piston I42 has uncovered the port I44, the full flow of liquid from the pump I2 and the volume of liquid stored in the accumulator movement of the piston I42 and the plunger I04 which are then held in their lower positions by gear pump pressure.

When the plunger I04 descends, it interrupts the delivery of liquid from the pump II and causes it to be returned to the reservoir of the pump II through the pipes I36 and I38. The

press is now at rest and the same condition preseries with each of the feed motors 53 and 55 Liquid flows first,

and with the ram cylinder 2. to one of the-feed motors and moves its plunger to the limit of its movement, then flows through the feed motor to the gripper motor and moves its piston to the limit of its movement, then flows through the gripper motor to the ram cylinder and moves the ram until it stalls, and then liquid breaks through a resistance valve and operates the valves to cause the feed, gripper and ram to operate in the same order but in reverse direction.

Therefore, the feed, gripper and ram must operate in the correct sequence and each complete its movement before one of the others can move.

The stroke of the press-is long enough to per form any work for which such presses are adapted, such as stamping and drawing, but the stroke may be adjusted by moving the faces of the dies closer together until it is just long enough to perform a particular operation, thereby enabling the press to be operated at maximum speed by liquid delivered from a pump of given volumetric capacity.

The faces of the dies may be moved closer together by employing dies or die blocks of greater height or by inserting packing plates behind one The lever I22 holds the control valve plunger- I04 in its operative position'and the cam II2 holds the lever I01 out of. engagement with the head IIO of the pilot valve plunger I06, so that each time that the ram'stalls at the limit of its upstroke, the liquid which breaks through the resistance valve I1I will enter the valve I0 through the pipe I13 and the port ,I69 and force the pilot valve plunger I06 downwardly to start another cycle of operation.

The press is capable of operating at high speed and, in order to facilitate placing a new strip of material in position to be engaged by the nearest gripper when the strip being operated upon passes beyond its reach, a control lever 226 is provided for regulating the stroke of the pump II to reduce its delivery and therebydrive the press as slowly as required to enable the operator to is journaled in the frame I and connected by a and a connecting 75 link 228, a bell crank lever 229 MI is'available to accelerate the downward 1 rod 230 to control mechanism 23 l which is standard equipment on the pump l land forms no part of the present inven ion.

When the foot lever 9| is released and the slide 5 I! is lowered, the press .will complete the current cycle of/ operation and then come to rest with the rain in its upper position and the grippers closed."

In order that the press may be stopped in- 10 stantly at any point in a cycle of operation, an emergency lever 232 is pivotedupon the frame I and ordinarily latched in a neutral position with its two arms 233 and 234 out of alinement with theenlarged lower end of the control valve plung-' is er/IM to permit it to ascend and descend independently oi the lever 232.

"If the handle 235 of the lever 232 is raised, the farm 233 will engage the plunger I34 andmove it downwardly, thereby interrupting the delivery go of high pressure liquid and stopping the press instantly. The handle of the-lever 232 may then be depressed and the arm 234 will raise the plunger lllLto start the press.

The lever 232is also employed for operating 95 the press through parts of a cycle of operation for the purpose of making adjustments.

The invention herein set forth is susceptible of various modifications and adaptationswithoutdeparting vfrom the scope thereof as hereafter claimed.

Theinvention is hereby claimed as follows: 1. A hydraulic press, comprisingaramand a cylinder, means for delivering a driving-liquid to said cylinder to reciprocate said ram, reciprocable means for intermittently engaging a strip of material, and means operating independently oi ram movement dor reciprocating said strip engaging means each time said ram is reciprocated but out of phase therewith to thereby feed 40 said strip through said press intermittently andincluding means for gradually accelerating and decelerating said strip.

2. A hydraulicv press, comprising a ram cylinder, 9. ram arranged in said cylinder to recipro- 45 cate therein, reciprocable means for intermittently-engaging a strip of material, hydraulic means for reciprocating said strip engaging means to.

feed said strip through said press intermittently and including means for gradually accelerating 53 and decelerating said strip and means for delivering a driving liquid to s id hydraulic means and said ramcylinder sequentially to reciprocate said ram and said strip engaging means alternatelyp 55 3. A hydraulic press, comprising a ram and a cylinder, means for delivering a driving liquid to said cylinder to reciprocate said ram, reciprocable means for intermittently engaging a strip of material, means operating independently of ram 60 movement for reciprocating said strip engaging means each time said ram is reciprocated but out of phase therewith to thereby teed said strip through said press intermittently and including cans for gradually accelerating and decelerat ing said strip, and meansfor adjusting said reciprocating means to feed said strip through said press in either direction.

4. A hydraulic press, comprising a ram cylinder, a ram arranged in said cylinder to recipro- 70 cate therein, a feed having means for engaging a strip of material, hydraulic means connected in series with said ram cylinder for operating said i'eed and reciprocating said strip engaging means to feed said strip through said press in- 75 termittently, means for delivering a driving liquid to said hydraulic means and said ramicyl inde'r sequentially to reciprocate said ram and said strip engaging means alternately, and means for adjusting said read to advance said strip in either direction. .5 5. A hydraulic press, comprising a ram cylinder, a ram arranged in said cylinder to reciprocate therein, a recipr cable feed having means .for intermittentlyeng ing a strip of material, hydraulic means for operating/said feed and re ciprocating said stripengaging means to feed said strip through said press intermittently and including means for gradually accelerating and decelerating said strip, means for delivering a driving liquid to said hydraulic means and said ram cylinder sequentially to reciprocate said ram and said strip engaging means alternately, and means for adjusting said feed to vary the distance said strip will be advanced during each reciprocation of said strip engaging means.

6. A hydraulic press, comprising a ram and a cylinder, a die carried by said ram, a feed for advancing'a piece of material into said press and having a gripper for engaging said material, hy-

raulic means for operating said gripper, hydraulic means for operating said feed, and means for delivering a driving liquid to both of said hydraulic means and said cylinder to cause said material to be engaged by said gripper, then advanced by said feed, then released=by said grip- 30, per and then engaged by said die, and then to cause said ram and feed to resume their initia positions.

7. A hydraulic press, comprising a ram and a cylinder, a die carried by said ram, a feed for advancing a piece of material intosaid press and having a gripper for engaging said material, holding means for securing said material in position after it has been advanced, hydraulic means for operating said gripper, hydraulic means for op- 01 erating said feed, and means for delivering a driving liquid'to both of said hydraulic means and said cylinder to cause said material to be engaged by said gripper, then advanced by said feed, then released by "said gripper and engaged by said holding means, and then engaged by said die, and then to cause said ram, holding means and feed to resume their initial positions.

8. A hydraulic press, comprising aram and a cylinder, 9. die carried by said ram, a feed for advancing a piece of material in o said press and having a gripper for engaging said material, a hydraulic motor for advancing said feed, a hydraulic motor for retracting said feed, a hydraulie motor for operating said gripper, means for directing driving liquid through one of said feed motors and through said g ipp r motor to said cylinder to advance said feed, open said gripper and advance said ram in sequence, and means for then directing driving liquid through the 0 other teed motor and through said gripper motor to said cylinder to retract said feed, close said gripper and retract said ram in sequence.

9. A hydraulic press, comprising a ram and a .cylinder, a die carried by'said rain, a feed for advancing a piece of material into said press and having a gripper for engaging said material, a hydraulic motor-for advancing said feed, a hydraulic motor for retracting said feed, a hydraulic motor for operating said gripper, means for directing driving liquid through one of said feed motors and through said grippermotor to said cylinder to advance said feed, open said gripper and advance said ramin sequence, means for then directing drivi quid through the gripper and retract said ram in sequence, and means for adjusting said feed to enable the same to advance said material through said press in either direction.

10. A hydraulic press, comprising a ram and a; cylinder, a die carried by said ram, a feed for advancing a piece of material into said press and having a gripper for engaging said material, a hydraulic motor for advancing said feed, a hydraulic motor for retracting said feed, a hydraulic motor for operating said gripper, means for directing driving liquid through one of said feed motors and through said gripper motor to said cylinder, to advance said feed, open said gripper and advance said ram in sequence, means for then directing. driving liquid through the other feed motor and through said gripper motor to said cylinder to retract said feed,close said gripper and retract said ram in sequence, means for controlling the delivery of saiddriving' liquid, and

means for adjusting said control means to cause said press to operate continuously or to stop at the end of each cycle of operation.

11. A blanking press, comprising a'ram having a die attached thereto, means for feeding a piece of material through said press intermittently, means for operating said ram'to advance said'die into engagement with said material and to retract it therefrom, means carried by said ram for holding said material in position beneath said die, means for operating said holding means independently of said ram operating means to cause the same to secure said material in position before said ram advances and for operating said holding means to release said material after said die engages the same.

12. A blanking press, comprising a ram, a die and a pilot carried by said ram, means for feeding a piece of material through said press intermittently, means for advancing and retracting said ram to pass said die through said material and to then withdraw the same, and means independent of said ram operating means and operable in response to operation of said feeding means for advancing said pilot before said ram advances.

13. A blanking press, comprising a ram, a die and a pressure member carried by said ram, means for feeding a piece of material through said press intermittently, means for advancing and retracting said ram to pass said die through said material and-to then withdraw the same, and

meansoperable in response to operation of said feeding means and independent of said ram operating means for advancing said pressure member to exert pressure upon said material before said ram advances and thereby hold the same against movement while'said ram advances and to retract said press c member after said die engages said material. v

14. A blanking press, comprising a ram, a die and a pressure member carried by said ram,

, means for feeding a piece of material through said press intermittently, means for advancing and retracting said ram to pass said die through said material and to then withdraw the same, hydraulic means operable in response to operation. of said feeding means and independent of said ram operating means for advancing said pressure member before said ram advances to exert pressure upon said material and thereby hold the same against movement while said ram advances and to retract said pressure member after said die engages said material, and resilient means for of ram movement, means for supporting said feed bar, hydraulic means for reciprocating said feed bar alternately with the stroke of said ram, a gripper carried by said feed bar, hydraulic meansfor operating said gripper, and means for connecting said hydraulic means in series with each other and with said ram cylinder to cause said ram, feed bar and gripper to be. operated in predetermined sequence. 4

16. In a hydraulic press having a ram and a cylinder, the combination of a feed bar arranged transversely of said ram, means'for supporting said fee'd bar, hydraulic means for reciprocating said feed bar alternately with the stroke of said ram, a gripper carried by said feed bar, and hydraulic means for closing said gripper before said feed bar is. moved in one. direction and for opening said gripper before said feed bar is moved in the opposite direction.

17. Inahydraulic press having a ram and a cylinder, the combination of a feed bar arranged, transversely of said ram, means for supporting said feed. bar, means for reciprocating saidfeed bar alternately with the stroke of said ram, two grippers carried by said feed bar andjarranged upon opposite sides of said ram, and means for closing said grippers before said feed bar is moved in one direction and for opening said grippers before said feed bar is moved in the opposite direction.

means for reciprocating said ram,the combination. of a feed member for engaging a piece of work, means for supporting said feed member, and, means independent: of said ram reciprocating means for harmonically reciprocating said supporting means transversely of the movement of said ram to gradually accelerate and decelerate said feed member and cause the same to feed said work through said press. 1 19. In a press having a ram, the combination to of a feed bar arranged transversely of said press, means for supporting said feed bar, a crank for reciprocating said feed bar alternately with the stroke of said ram to feed the work through the, press intermittently, means including a rack and a pinion for rotating said crank, means for changing 'the throw of said crank to thereby vary the distance said feed bar is reciprocated, a

gripper carriedby said feed bar toengage the work,

-means for opening and closing said gripper, and

means for adjusting said crank rotating means to change the direction of feed. I

20. In a hydraulic press having a ram and a cylinder, the combination of a feed bar arranged transversely of said press and having a gripper for engaging a piece of material to advance the same through said press, a crosshead supporting said; feed bar, a crank for reciprocating said cross head and said feed. bar alternately with the stroke of said ram, a pinion for rotating said crank,

inder, a ram arranged in said cylinder to reciprocate therein, reciprocable means for intermitrection andto cause each of said reciprocating members to come to rest at the end of its movement in each direction before the other of said members starts to move.

22. A hydraulic press, comprising a-ram cylinder, a ram arranged in said cylinder to reciprocate therein, a reciprocable feed having means for intermittently engaging a strip of material, hydraulic means for operating said feed and reciprocating said strip engaging means to feed said strip through said press intermittently and including means for gradually accelerating and decelerating said strip, means for delivering a driving liquid to said hydraulic means and said ram cylinder sequentially to reciprocate said ram and said strip engaging means alternately with each other in each direction and to cause each of said reciprocating members to come to rest at the end of its movement in each direction before the other of said members starts to move, and means for adjusting said feed to advance said strip in either direction.

23. A hydraulic press, comprising a ram and a cylinder, means for delivering a driving liquid to said cylinder to advance and retract said ram,

a gripper for alternately engaging and disengaging a strip of material, means for advancing said gripper while it is engaged with said strip and for retracting said gripper while it is disengaged from said strip to thereby feed said strip through said press intermittently, and means operated independently of said ram for holding said strip stationary while said gripper is being retracted.

24. A hydraulic press, comprising a ram and a cylinder, means for delivering a driving liquid to said cylinder to advance and retract said ram,

9. gripper for alternately engaging and disen gaging a strip of material, fluid actuated means for advancing. said gripper while it is engaged with said strip and for retracting said gripper while it is disengaged from said strip to thereby feed said strip through said press intermittently,

and fluid actuated means for holding said strip stationary while said gripper is being retracted. 25. A hydraulic press, comprising a ram and a cylinder, means for delivering a driving liquid to said cylinder to advance and retract "said ram, a gripper, means for operating said gripper to alternately engage and disengage a strip of material, means foradvancing said gripper while it is engaged with said strip and for retracting said gripper while it is disengaged from said strip to thereby feed said strip through said press intermittently, and means operated by said gripper operating means for (holding said strip stationary while said gripper is being retracted.

26. A hydraulic press, comprising a ram and a cylinder, means for delivering a driving liquid to said cylinder to advance and retract said ram,

' a gripper, fluid actuated means' for operating said gripper toalternately engage and disengage a strip of material, fluid actuated means for advancing said gripper while it is engaged with said strip and for retracting said gripper while it is disengaged from said strip to thereby feed said strip through said press intermittently, and means operated independently of said ram tor holding said strip stationary while said gripper is being retracted.

27. A hydraulic press, comprising a ram and a cylinder, a gripper, hydraulic means for operating said gripper to alternately engage and disengage .a strip of material, hydraulic means for advancing said gripper while it is engaged with said strip and for retracting said gripper while it is disengaged from said strip to thereby feed said strip through said press intermittently, means operated by said gripper operating means for holding said strip while said gripper is retracted, and means for delivering driving liquid 1 to said cylinder and said hydraulic means in sequence to operate and reciprocate said gripper and reciprocate said ram and thereby cause one to stop before another starts.

28. A blanking press, comprising a ram for reciprocating a movable die toward and from a stationary die, two grippers arranged upon opposite sides of said dies, means for opening and closing said grippers to alternately engage and disengage a strip of material, and means operated alternately with the movement of said ram for advancing said grippers while closed and for retracting said grippers while open whereby one of said grippers will feed said strip into said press and into position for the second gripper to engage the same' and said second gripper will. remove said strip from said press after it has passed beyond the reach of said first gripper.

29. A blanking'press, comprising a ram for reciprocating a movable die toward and from a stationary die, two grippers-arranged upon opposite sides of said dies, means for opening and closing said grippers to alternately engage and disengage a strip of material, means operated alternately with the movement of said ram for advancing said grippers while closed and for retracting said grippers while open whereby one of said grippers will feed said strip into said press and into position for the second gripper to engage the same and said second gripper will removesaid strip from said press after it has passed beyond the reach of said first gripper, and means operated. independently of said ram for holding said strip stationary while said grippers are being retracted.

30. A blanking press, comprising a 'ram for reciprocating a movable die toward and from a stationary die, two grippers arranged upon opposite sides'of said dies, means for opening and closing 'said grippers to alternately engage and disengage a strip of material, means operated alternately with the movement of said ram for advancing said grippers while closed and for retracting said grippers while openwhereby one of said grippers will feed said strip into said press and into position for the second gripper to engage the same and said .second gripper will remove said strip from said press after it has passed beyond the reach of said first gripper, and means operated in conjunction with said gripper operating means for holding said strip stationary while said grippers are being retracted.

31. A blanking press, comprising a ram for reciprocating a movable die-toward and from a stationary die, a hydraulic motor for operating said ram, two grippers arranged upon opposite sides of said dies, hydraulic means for opening and closing said grippers to alternately engage and disengage a strip of material, hydraulic means operated alternately with the movement of said ram for advancing said grippers while 7 while said grippers are holding means' carried into said press and into position for the second gripper to engage the same and said second gripper will remove said strip from said press after it has passed beyond the reach of said first gripper, and means for delivering driving liquid to said hydraulic means and said motor in sequence.

32. A blanking press, comprising a ram for reciprocating amovable die toward and from a stationary die, a hydraulic motor for operating said ram, two grippers arranged uponopposite sides of said dies, hydraulic means for opening and closing said grippers to alternately engage and disengage a strip of material, hydraulic means operated alternately with the movement of said ram for advancing saidgrippers while closed and for retracting said grippers while open whereby one of said grippers will feed said strip into said press and into position for the second gripper to engage the same and said second gripper will remove said strip from-said press after it has passed beyond the reach of said first gripper, means for delivering driving liquid to said hydraulic means and said motor in sequence, and means operated in conjunction with said gripper operating means for holding said strip stationary being retracted.

33. In a press having a ram for moving a movable die into and out of engagement with work supported upon a stationary die, the combination of a lever pivoted to said ram, work by said lever, and means for oscillating said lever to advance said holding means into engagement with said work and secure said work in a stationary position before said movable die engages the same and to retract said holding means after said die has engaged said work.

34. In a press having a ram for moving a mtvable die into and out of engagement with work supported upon a stationary die, the combination of a lever pivoted 'to said ram, work holding means carried by said lever, and means operating independently of the movement of said ram for oscillating said lever to advance said holding means into engagement withsaid work and secure said work in a, stationary position before said movable die engages the same and to retract said holding engaged said work.

35. In a press having a ram formoving a movable die into and out of engagement with work supported upon a stationary die, the combination of a shaft carried by said ram, a lever fixed upon said shaft, work holding means carried by said lever, and means for rocking said shaft to cause said lever to advance said holding means into engagement with said work and secure said work in a stationary position before said movable die engages the'same and to retract said holding means after said die has engaged said work. v

36. In a press having a ram for moving a movable die into and out of engagement with work supported upon a stationary die, the combination of a shaft carried by said ram, a lever fixed upon said shaft, work holding means carried by said lever, and means operating independently of the movement of said ram for rocking said shaft to cause said lever to advance said holding means into engagement with said work and secure said work in a stationary position before said movable die engages the same means after said die has and to retract said holding means after said die has engaged said work.

3'7.'-A self-feeding hydraulic press as set forth in claim 6 further characterized by control means for causing said press to automatically 5 complete a cycle of operation, and means for adjusting said control means to either cause said v press to stop at the end of each cycle or to cause it to operate continuously. 4

38. A self-feeding hydraulic press as set forth 10 in claim 6 further characterized by control means for causing said press to automatically complete a cycle ofoperation, means for adjusting said control means'to either cause said press to stop at the end of each cycle or to cause 16 it to operate continuously, and manually operated means for stopping and restarting said press at any point in a cycle of operation.

39. In a self-feeding press, the combination of means for engaginga piece of work to feed 20 it through the press, means for adjusting said work engaging means toward or from the path of the work to enable the press to operate upon work of difierent widths, hydraulic means for operating said work engaging means to cause 26 the same to alternately engage and release the work, hydraulically operated-means for reciprocating said work engaging means and operating alternately with said hydraulic means to thereby cause said work engaging means to be advanced 30 while engaged with the work and to be retracted while disengaged therefrom.

40. In a self-feeding press, the combination of two or more grippers forengaging a piece of work to feed it through the press, means for adjusting said grippers simultaneously an equal distance toward or from the path of the work to enable the press to operate upon work of differnt widths, hydraulic means for operating said grippers to cause the same to alternately 40 engage and release the work. hydraulically operated means for reciprocating-said grippers and operating alternately with said hydraulic means to thereby cause said grippers to be advanced while engaged with the work and to be retracted while disengaged therefrom.

41. The combination, with a press having a ram arranged in a cylinder and reciprocated by liquid delivered to said cylinder, of a gripper to engage the work to be operated upon and reciprocable transversely to ram movement, hy-

draulic means for reciprocating said gripper alis moved in one direction and for opening said gripper before it is moved in the other direction.

42. The combination, with a press having a ram arranged in a cylinder and reciprocated by liquid delivered to said cylinder, of two grippers to engage the work to be operated upon and reciprocable transversely to ram movement, hydraulic means for reciprocating both of said grippers alternately with the stroke of said ram, hydraulic means for closing said grippers before the same are moved in one direction andfor opening said grippers before the'same are moved in the other direction, and means for adjusting said grippers relatively to each other and to the path of said ram.

43. The combination, with a self-feeding press, 0 of feed mechanism comprising means for engaging the work, a crank for reciprocating said work engaging means, means connecting said crank to said work engaging means, hydraulic means for rotating said crank through approximately ends of the movements thereof simultaneously and said work engaging means is gradually ac- 5 celerated and decelerated during each actuation thereof, and means for controlling said hydraulic means to cause the same to rotate said crank in opposite directions alternately.

44. The combination, with a. self-feeding press,

10" of feed mechanism comprising means for engaging the work, a crank for reciprocating said work engaging means, means connecting said crank to said work engaging means, hydraulic means for rotating said crank through approximately 180 during each actuation thereof whereby said work engaging means reaches the end of its travel as said crank reaches the end of its semi-circular movement, means for controlling said hydraulic means to cause the same to rotate said crank in opposite directions alternately, and means 'for adjusting the efiective throw of said crank to thereby vary the distance through which said work engaging means 10 is reciprocated. v

WALTER FERRIS. 

